by our College Data Analytics Team
[English](/majors/english-language-literature/general-english-language-literature/english/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong english education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 93 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for english students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in english, balancing cost against outcomes.
Swarthmore College earned the #1 spot for value among english schools in Pennsylvania. Located in the suburb of Swarthmore, Swarthmore College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,494. Typical student debt for english graduates is $19,500. Early-career english graduates make about $66,971. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $11,046, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $52,416 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Located in the suburb of Abington, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,268, compared with $25,664 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bucks County Community College earned it the #4 place for english. Bucks County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Newtown. In-state tuition and fees average $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $13,926. Typical student debt for english graduates is $13,068. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Bucks County Community College generally make around $37,711. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,975, with out-of-state students paying around $12,472. Students borrow a median of $20,867 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earn a median of $41,382 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,867 median debt.
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Pennsylvania Western University came in at #6 for value in english this year. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,436, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $47,295 ten years out. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earned the #7 position for value in english this year. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Indiana. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,380, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,280 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $36,594. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania placed #8 among the best values for english. Located in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,236, compared with $19,202 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for english graduates is $27,000. Early-career english graduates make about $26,350. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 92% of applicants.
Community College Of Philadelphia earned the #9 position for value in english this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,632 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,744. English graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Community College Of Philadelphia generally make around $37,988. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania placed #10 among the best values for english. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. English graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. English graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $41,236 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earned the #11 position for value in english this year. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Millersville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $22,952. Typical student debt for english graduates is $25,934. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Millersville University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $36,865. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania landed the #12 spot for english value this year. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,775, with out-of-state students paying around $22,599. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania landed the #13 spot for english value this year. Set in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,206, while out-of-state students pay about $16,330. Students borrow a median of $26,867 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $39,028 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,867 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Harrisburg is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,972, with out-of-state students paying around $26,958. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Haverford College placed #15 among the best values for english. Located in the suburb of Haverford, Haverford College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $70,398. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $79,966. Haverford College admits about 12% of applicants.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania landed the #16 spot for english value this year. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Shippensburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,570, with out-of-state students paying around $15,824. Typical student debt for english graduates is $27,000. Early-career english graduates make about $28,924. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
Washington And Jefferson College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Located in the suburb of Washington, Washington And Jefferson College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $29,392. Typical student debt for english graduates is $27,000. Early-career english graduates make about $37,046. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Arcadia University landed the #18 spot for english value this year. Set in the suburb of Glenside, Arcadia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,610. Students borrow a median of $26,921 to complete the english program here. English graduates of Arcadia University earn a median of $46,764 early in their careers. Set against $26,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Messiah College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Messiah College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Mechanicsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,240. English graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Messiah College generally make around $22,621. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Temple University earned the #20 position for value in english this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,005, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Students borrow a median of $25,949 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $28,914. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value english schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete the english program here. English graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $42,134 early in their careers. Set against $24,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Gettysburg College placed #22 among the best values for english. Located in the town of Gettysburg, Gettysburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $66,640 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,724 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Gettysburg College generally make around $40,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary earned the #23 position for value in english this year. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,500. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the english program here. Soon after graduation, english degree recipients from Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary generally make around $27,135. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary admits about 54% of applicants.
University Of Pennsylvania landed the #24 spot for english value this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. English graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career english graduates make about $40,967. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.
Ursinus College earned the #25 position for value in english this year. Set in the suburb of Collegeville, Ursinus College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,061 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the english program here. Early-career english graduates make about $24,373. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in english:
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The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 93 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.